Sign



June 26A, 1934. R E, BARCLAY 1,963,964

SIGN

Filed Julysl, 1931 '2 sheets-sheetA 1 June 26, 1934.

R. E. B ARCLAY SIGN Filed July 31, 1931 I 2 Sheets-Sheet, 2

Patented .lune 26, 1934 SIGN Robert E. Barclay, Chicago, Ill., assgnorto4 Federal Electric Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New YorkApplication July 31, 1931, Serial No. 554,298

24 Claims.

My invention relates in general to signs and has more particularreference to illuminated signs for advertising display and otherpurposes, an important object being to provide a cheap, yet

serviceable and attractive sign, presenting bril'- liant, striking andartistic effect, which can be quickly and easily assembled or mounted inoperative position, is inexpensive to operate and which has highvisibility, aesthetic appeal and unusual eye arresting qualities, whileoccupying small space and requiring a minimum of accessories to mountthe sign in position.

Among the other important objects of the invention is to provide animproved sign especially well adapted for marking the location of spotsto be designated, signs embodying my present invention beingparticularly well adapted to mark exit doorways, ticket oices, magazinecounters, elevators and in fact being adapted for use any- 2 0 Wherethat a small, location designating, or indicating sign is desired; toprovide an advertising o r display sign having unusual eye arrestingfea-' tures, a feature of the invention being the possibility ofproviding a shifting feature, whereby the characters of the sign may becaused to move in order to gain attention and interest and also toenable a relatively large sign or message to be displayed in smallcompass; and to provide avsign of the class described illuminated,preferably though not necessarily, by electrical discharge in a gaseousmedium, my invention being more particularly adapted for application inthe iield of discharge illumination.

These and other numerous objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent as the same is more fully understood from the followingdescription, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,discloses preferred embodiments of my invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sign embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view'taken substantially along the line 2 2 inFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 inFigure 1 and Figures 4 and 5 are similar sectional views illustratingpreferred constructions;

Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating a modified construction embodyingmy invention;

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line '7 7 inFigure 6;-

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a moving or travelling sign embodyingmy invention;

Figures 9 and 10 are sectional views taken respectively along the line 99 in Figure 8 and the line 10 10 in Figure 9; and l Figures 11 and l2are sectional views taken respectively along the line 11 11 in Figures 3and 4, and along line 12-12 in Figure 5.

To illustrate my invention I have shown on the drawings signs comprisingmeans forming a suitable source of illumination and a vsign receptacleor holder paralleling the source of illumination.

'I'he light source is preferably enclosed in a casing or sheath of lanysuitable light-transmitting material such as glass, and my inventionVmore particularly contemplates the use of an electrically excitedgaseous medium as the illuminating means, although other light-producing-means such as incandescent lamps, operated either by gas orelectricity, may be employed. In the illustrated embodiments the lightsource is housed in a preferably glass envelope 11 comprising a channel13 in which a light source is housed. l

The sign holding means also may be constructed in any suitable manner,extending parallel and adjacent to the light source, and, although Iprefer to form sign-carryingchannels 15, as an integral part of theenvelope 11, a. separate casing of suitable translucent material may beused for this purpose.

I prefer to form the sign receptacle as an integral part of the envelope11 since this permits me to use multi-bore tubing of the typeillustrated and described in my co-pending applications Serial Nos.491,404; 540,950; 540,390 and 541,391, led respectively Oct. 29, 1930,May 29 and June 1, 1931 the tube having internal longitudinal partitionmeans 19.

In Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, I have shown a sign comprising an envelope 11yhaving a sealed, centrally located luminous channel 13 and signreceiving-channels 15 located on each side of the central light-emittingchannel 13. The sealed channel 13 preferablyhas electrodes 21 of anyordinary or preferred construction in its opposed ends, the.light-producing electrical discharge taking place in the channel 13between the spaced electrodes'in the manner Well known in the art ofdischarge illumination. The card-holding channels 15 carry sign strips23 of any suitable, preferably bendable and opaque material. 'Ihe stripsare provided with perforations 25r or otherwise out out to form a designor character which it is desired to display. The sign strips 23containing the characters for display may beinserted in the channel orreceptacle 15 by sliding them into place endwise through the open endsof the channel, the upper and lower grooved edges 27 of the channelserv- -ing to guide andsecure the strip in an aligned position withrespect to the light-producing channel 13. When in place, the sign stripmay be villuminated from behind by the light source in the channel 13 sothat the cut out design, to be displayed, forms a silhouette against thelight source.

One end of the envelope 11 may be fitted and secured into a cup-shapedshell 29, adapted to form a mounting for the sign, and the envelope maybe secured in the shell as by means of the cement 31, the ends of thechannels 15 being preferably plugged with Wads 33 of any suitablematerial, such as cotton, wool, etc., to exclude the cement frompenetrating the channel. A suitable cap 35 is applied to the other endof the envelope in order to provide an attractive finish and to excludedirt, moisture and lother foreign matter. The 'electrodes 21 within thedischarge arc channel are electrically connected by means of suitableconductors 37y which -penetrate the sealed ends of the channel to anexternal source of power, the ends of the conductors 37 being preferablyconnected to terminals 47 mounted in and projecting outwardly of theshell 29. These terminals are adaptedto t into and form electricalconnection with corresponding terminals 49 which are mounted in asuitable support base 53, the terminals 49 being in turn permanentlyconnected to a suitable source of electrical power, as for instance, thesecondary winding of a transformer. I prefer, however, to form the base53 as a casing containing a suitable transformer 41, the primary winding45 of which is connected to an external source of electrical power andthe secondary winding 39 of which is connected tothe terminals 49, sincein this way the sign mounting, having a suitable transformer ratio, maybe manufactured as a standard itemA for connection in the ordinarycommercial or house lighting electrical circuit. The mounting 53 also isprovided preferably with an upstanding annular sleeve 55 into which theshell 29, which forms a part of the detachable sign, mayl snugly fit sothat the sign will be rmly supported inthe mounting. Ordinarily, such asleeve will provide ample support for the device which will require nofurther accessories for maintaining same in posin tion.

Alternatively, the transformer 41 may be arranged in the shell 29 andits primary connected to the terminals 47 and its secondary to 'theelectrodes 21, while the electrodes 49 in the support base are connectedin the house lighting circuit. The portions of the envelope 11 whichdefine surface walls of the light-producing channel 13 which are notexposed to the sign strips 23, are

preferably coated with a film 57 of any suitable opaque material, suchas blacls paint.

In Figure 4 of the drawings the external `wall of the sign-carryingchannel is flattened in order`` to permit the sign strips to be mountedin sub-"s stantially flat condition so-as to avoid'the curvedconfiguration required in the semi-circular channels illustrated inFigure 3 .V

' It is not essential, of course, that the electrodes 21 be mounted atopposite ends of the envelope, but thechamber 13 may be provided with apartition 191 as indicated in dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4 of thedrawings. Where this is the case the partition 191 may be terminatedshort of the outer end of the envelope as shown in Figure 11 so that theilluminated channel comprises parallel and adjacent legs, separated bythe partition 191 and communicating at the outer end of the envelope,each leg being provided with an electrode at the inner end thereof.Alternatively, the construction illustrated in Figures 5 and 12 may beemployed.' In this construction, thegliousing for the source ofillumination comprises tube portions 119 assembled in parallel andadjacent relationship within the bore of a substantially largertube 117.The encircling tube may, of course, have any suitable or desiredconfiguration and the tubev portions 119 may be connected togetherand/or placed in communication at the outer end of the device andprovided with electrodes sealed therein at the lower or basal end of theassembly as shown in Figure 12.

Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings disclose a construction embodying atwo-channel tube .wherein one of the channels forms the discharge arcpath 13, while the other provides the sign strip housing 15. Thisconstruction is useful where the sgn is to be viewed from one side only,as where the sign is mounted on a supported panel 59 and extends infront of the panel in parallel relationship therewith. In theconstruction illustrated the discharge arc channel of the double boretube is extended rearwardly-at both ends thereof and is received interminal receptacles mounted in spaced perforations formed in the panel,and the thus extended ends are sealed, provided with electrodes andsupported in suitable receptacles of any convenient type. A

The device may be energized through a transformer supported on the backof the panel, as shown; the primary of which is connected to a suitablesource of electrical power as by means of the plug-in connection 69,-thesecondary of the transformer being connected through the receptacles tothe electrodes within the ends of the discharge arc channel 13.

` Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a travelling or similar to thatindicated in Figure 6. In place of the stationary sign cards 23 thechannels 15 receive a continuous, endless, perforated sign strip 231which extends around a roller 61, mounted for rotation in the shell 291which is suitably enlarged to receive this roller and the otherassociated apparatus. At the far end of the sign, the continuous strip231 passes around a guide 63 which may conveniently be formed as anintegral part of the cap closure 351. The roller 61 is driven as througha belt 64 -from a motor 65, which is or may be suitably mounted withinthe casing 291. The gaseous medium in the sealed chamber 13 is energizedby power supplied through suitable leads 431 from a transformer 411which is or may be mounted within the casing 291. The motor andtransformer are connected by means of suitable leads 511v through acontrol switch 67 and cord conductor 69 to a suitable source ofelectrical power which is preferably the ordinary house lightingdistribution system, and I have illustrated the cord connector 69 asterminating in a plug, adapted to be inserted in the socket outlet of anVelectric power system whereby the sign Amay bev most'conveniently-powered. When the device is properly connected and theswitch 67 conditioned to place the device in operation, the channel 13vwill be illuminated by the electrical power supplied through thetransformer 411, while the continuous strip v231-will be caused to movedown one sign channel 151 around the guide .shifting sign embodying aconstruction somewhat 63; thence through the othersign channel 151 andaround the roller 61, the strip 231 being caused to move by the rotationof the roller which is driven by the motor 65. In this way theperforated strip passes in front of the discharge arc channel 13 on bothsides of the device, and the sign formed in the strip by theperforations 251 thereof will be rendered highly visible by theillumination escaping through the perforations. Signs made in accordancewith my present invention are unusually simple and inexpensive tomanufacture. The effects created are brilliant and highly visible, andwhere the discharge arc illumination is produced as a neon light,socalled, the effect is extremely eye arresting, so that signs made inaccordance with my present invention are readily seen since they gainthe attention of the observer on account of their brilliant appearance.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendantadvantages will be understood from the foregoing descrfption, and it isobvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit andscope of my invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sign comprising an envelope, a gaseous medium adapted to be excitedto glow within the envelope, and means formed integrally in the envelopefor holding a silhouette sign in front of the gaseous medum, and meansto excite the medium from a power' source outsidev of the envelope.

2. A sign comprising means forming a translucent envelope providing acompartment containing a conned gaseous medium capable of glowing whenexcited, said envelope being formed with a portion adapted for housing asign strip in front of the compartment, and means to shift the signstrip in its housingwith respect to the compartment to produce atraveling sign.

3. A sign comprising a multi-channel glass envelope having a channel inwhich sign forming means may be demountably carried and means.y tocreate illumination in an adjacent channel of the envelope behind thesign strip.

4i. A sign comprising a multi-channeled tube of translucent materialcontaining in at least one of its channels a gaseous medium adapted toglow when excited and means to excite the gaseous medium to create alight source in said channel, another of said channels being formed toreceive and support a silhouette sign in the tube adjacent the lightsource whereby the sign will be housed within the tube and away from theexternal atmosphere in position to be visible through the translucentwalls of the tube.

5. A sign comprising a glass tube having integral longitudinallyextending partition means providing a plurality of parallel adjacentchannels within the tube, means tocreate light in at least one of thechannels and a sign strip in an adjacent channel silhouetted against theillumination penetrating the partition means from the illuminatedchannel.

6. A sign comprising a glass tube having longitudinally extendingpartition means providing a plurality of adjacent channels within thetube, means to create light in at least one of the channels wherebysigns in adjacent channels will be illuminated through the partitionmeans and at the same time housed and protected from the Weather.

7. A sign comprising an elongated glass envelope, means dening a sealedchamber extending in the envelope, vmeans creating light in saidchamber, said means including a base mounted to one end of the envelope,terminals formed on the base and a receptacle for detachably receivingthe base and connecting the terminals to an external power source, andconductors connecting the terminals with the sealed channels, and

means to support a sign in the envelope in front' of said sealed chamberwhereby the design to be displayed will appear silhouetted against -thel'ght created in the chamber.

8. A sign comprising an elongated glass envelope, means defining asealed chamber in the envelope, means to supply light creating power tosaid chamber to create light therein, said means including a baselmounted to one end of the envelope, terminals formed on the base and areceptacle for detachably receiving the base and connecting the terminasto an external power source, spaced electrodes' in the chamber at opposed ends of the envelope, conductors 'connecting the terminals withthe electrodes, one of said conductors extending from the base withinthe`enveiope andexteriorly of the chamber to the electrode in the farend thereof, and means to support a sign strip in said envelope in frontof said sealed chamber whereby light created in the chambermayilluminate the strip.

9. A sign comprising a gass tube, a sign strip carried in said glasstube and a sealed glass envelope supported within said glass tube behindthe strip, means co-operating with the glass envelope for creatingillumination therein and means enclosing the ends of the glass tube toexclude foreign matter.

10. A sign comprising an elongated glass envelope, means defining asealed chamber extending longitudinally in said envelope, a frame mem-4ber at each end of said envelope, guide means mounted in a said framemember opposite each` l1. A sign comprising translucent means forming acentral elongated channel and lateral elongated channels on oppositesides of the central channel and adapted to receive silhouette signmeans and means associated with the central channel to create a sourceof light therein to illuminate signs in the lateral channels.

12. A sign comprising translucent means forming a central elongatedchannel and lateral elongated channels on opposed sides of the centralchannel and adapted to receive silhouette signs, means associated withthe central channel to create a source of light therein to illuminatesigns in the lateral channels, and means to render the walls of thecentral channel opaque except where it faces the lateral channels.

13. A sign comprising translucent means formv DOWSI'.

cluding an electrode in each channel portion for exciting the medium insaid portions, said translucent means forming an additional chanrielextending adjacent the portions containing the excitable medium andadapted to support a sign strip in front of said portions whereby thesign strip may be rendered visible against the illumination in saidportions. 1

14. In combination with a panel, a lamp mounted in front of the panel,said lamp comprising an elongated member of translucent material formingin its rearward portions a housing for a medium capable of excitation toproduce light and forming an elongated channel in front of the housingto receive and support a sign strip in position to be viewed against thelight generated. in the housing, means to excite the medium in thehousing, the housing having portions extending behind the panel,electrodes in' said portions and means behind the panel to connect saidelectrodes toa source of electrical 15. A sign comprising means forminga transf lucent envelope providing a compartment 'con-4 taining aconnedatmosphere capable of glowing when excited and a housing affordingmeans to support a sign strip in front of the compartvment, means toexcite the atmosphere, and means Vto shift the sign strip in its housingwith'l respect to the compartment. f

16. A sign comprising means forming an elongated translucent envelopeproviding a compartment containing a conned atmosphere. capable ofglowing when excited, and a sign strip housing at the front of thecompartment guide means at the opposite ends of the housing to support asignstrip in the housing between the guide means, and means to shift thesign strip on its guides.

17. A sign comprlsing-means forming an elongated translucent envelopecontaining a confined atmosphere capable of glowing when excited,

guide means including a roller for shiftably supporting a sign strip infront of the envelope,

means to excite the confined atmosphere, and means to rotate therollerto Vshift Athe sign in front of the envelope in order to provide atravelingsign eiect.

18. A sign comprising translucent means for-rn-- ingA a sealed envelopemeans containing a gaseous medium adapted to glow when excited, -saidenvelope means including parallel adjacent channel portionsintercommun'icating at their 'adjacent ends, 'means cooperativelyassociated with said envelope means for holding a' silhouette `Asignmember in front'of the envelope', and means to excite the medium in theenvelope inorder to provide' a source of illumination behind thesilhouette sign member. f.,

1'9. A' sign comprising translucent 'means forming a sealedenvelopevproviding a' substantially U-shaped channel containinga'gaseous medium ing an envelope providing a support for a'silhouette signmember within the envelope, lmeans in said envelope forming a pair oftranslucent tubular portions containing a gaseous'medium adapted to glow`whenexcited, said portions extending parallel and relatively closetogether in said envelope behind the sign whereby to support the same inplace, means connecting the adjacent ends of said portions together andtheir opposite ends toa source of power for exciting the medium, wherebyto-create a light source behind a sign carried on the sign support.

21,. A sign comprising translucent means forming an envelope providing asupport for 'a silhouette sign memberwithin the envelope, means snuglyarranged in said envelope forming a pair of translucent tubularportionscontaining a gaseous mediumv adapted to glow when excited, said 100portions extending parallel and'irelatively close together in saidenvelope behind the sign whereby to support the same in place,,electrodes at opposite lends of said portions, and means to connect theelectrodes together at one end of the portions and to connect theelectrodes at the opposite ends of the portions to a power source inorder to excite the gaseous medium therein.

22. A sign comprising a translucent cylindrical tube providing amounting for a silhouette sign member within the tube, means forming aplurality of smaller tubular portions snugly nested within said housingbehind said sign and holding the same in place, said smaller portionsadapted to glow when excited whereby to provide a light source in saidchannel, and another of said channels being formed toreceive and supporta silhouette signvwithin the confines of thetube in position housedfromthe external atmosphe're and adjacent thelight source whereby 130the sign may be rendered visible to external observers.

24. A sign'as set forth in claim 23, including means for shifting thesign strip in the channel in which it is mounted. I

ROBERT E. BARCLAY.

